Twice shy: Dutch wary of loose pet cobra

AMSTERDAM (AP) — Residents of a Dutch village are treading carefully Friday after learning that a highly poisonous cobra may be slithering around in their neighborhood.

Authorities in the village of Made warned residents to keep their doors and windows shut. The snake's owner reported it missing Thursday morning. It was not immediately clear whether the snake had been kept legally.

The local municipality says citizens are allowed to leave their homes, but should remain alert as a bite from the 70-centimeter (27-inch) Cape cobra — usually found only in South Africa — can be deadly.

The statement warned: "Don't approach the snake. The animal could become aggressive."

The municipality, 100 kilometers (60 miles) south of Amsterdam, says an antivenin is available if somebody is bitten.